Frequently Asked Questions:

The best general rule to follow in seeking good medical education is based on the old saying, “The old is gold.” In many situations in our daily life we select the best by age and experience. We buy a house from a builder who has spent years building good houses. When we travel by air, we prefer an airline with a long record of safety. When it comes to our personal needs, we select a dentist who is experienced and for a serious illness, we go to a Doctor who has spent years treating that particular illness.

In our daily lives we select products and services by age, experience with a long history of excellence. Shouldn’t we apply the same principle in selecting the best medical establishment for our education?

In a search for the best medical education, it would be naive to think that all the medical universities in the Russian Federation are above world standards when it comes to providing excellent training and education in the field of medicine. Just like any other place, the Russian medical universities maintain standards that can be considered below those to a number of well known medical schools abroad. It is unfair to say that all the medical schools in the Russia are excellent and all the schools abroad are below standard. In reality, there are excellent schools in Russia, and then there are universities which can be called good, and there are some below standard too. By the same token, not all the foreign schools are excellent or good either. To find the difference between good and average, you should apply several standards and criteria which are essential and fundamental to a good medical education.

In our view, the best medical university will have the following 7 characteristics:

1. Years of experience in providing medical education. The institution must be minimum of 50 years old or older, since it takes almost that much of time for an institution of higher education to grow, mature and become deeply rooted in society.

VSMA is the Oldest Medical Educational Establishment in Russia with a great history from 1802.

2. Teaching hospitals. A medical university must have several of its own well established, modem teaching hospitals. If the university does not have these, then the students are put in to a very disadvantageous position. The lack of clinical teaching facilities of its own should raise a red flag about that university because the scope of education that can be provided is greatly limited.

To summarize this point, we will say that a good medical university should have not just one or two teaching hospitals, but several well equipped, furnished with modern teaching hospitals to prepare you for the demands of a medical profession.
VSMA is affiliated with 29 Hospitals with a network of Polyclinics where medical students gain exposure and practical skills required for their future profession.

3. Small class size. Small group classes may be considered a luxury for some; but it’s a must for medical students to interact closely with the professors and teaching medical staff. Many of these so-called universities for profit have more than 40 students per class.

Maximum size of a VSMA class is 12 students .

4. Ample Research Facilities. Good research facilities and programs go hand in hand with a good medical college. Some new medical teaching establishments have research facilities just for the sake of saying. This kind of institution cannot be called a research-oriented facility.

A good medical teaching university must have real research programs and must have opportunities for research in each of its teaching departments. This type of situation would give the “Future Doctors” important chances to be exposed to many multi-disciplinary research projects.

The Research and Development work at VSMA is carried out within the framework of the program “Optimization of measures for the prevention and treatment of Diseases in present eco–hygienical conditions”. This includes 11 research projects carried out by all of the 78 Departments of the Academy.

5. High Quality Teaching staff. It is essential for a good medical education facility to have a highly qualified post-graduate-Level-trained staff with professors having Ph.D. in research as well as a post-graduate degree in medicine. Universities where the majority of the staff have a combination of M.D. and Ph.D. degrees are in a position to give you the best training in science and research.

Within VSMA’s 76 Departments, 800 full-time faculty staff engage in education, research & development work. Among them: 117 are Professors in Medical specialties and 540 hold Ph.D. Degrees.

6. Recognition and Accreditation. To qualify initially on an international level the University must be approved, recognized, and listed by the World Health Organization (WHO), currently headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Almost all member nations currently go by this standard as an initial requirement for permitting medical graduates to meet the license requirements in the member nation.

The school must be recognized and accredited by the government of the country where the school is located. Fully government-supported schools are in better shape for worldwide recognition than privately managed schools.

VSMA is fully sponsored by Russian Government and recognized by WHO.

7. Inter University/International Relationships and Reputation. A good medical university will have active working relationships with many similar institutions around the globe. Agreements on research, cooperation, and transfer of technology with other medical universities, both those located in the same country and those located abroad, are important for quality of education, credibility, and recognition on an international basis.
A school should be known internationally, locally and regionally, for research and development in various fields of medicine. This type of international level research will allow the student to get exposure to important techniques, procedures, advancements in medicine and research as they are carried out in various parts of the world.

The VSMA plays an active role in 84 Federal, Regional, Inter-Regional and International research projects and programs. The most important projects include corporation with the Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine of the Russian Federation, with the Brain Institute of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, with the Institutes of Reanimation and Pharmacology of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, With the Medical Faculty of the Humboldt University in Berlin, University Clinic Charite-Germany, with the Charitable Fund for the improvement of the health and vision of child orphans Russia/USA within the framework of the program “Improvement of the health condition of orphan children”.
We would like to mention with pride that when you search for the best medical facilities in the light of truth, you will discover that Voronezh State Medical Academy is second to none and possess all the qualities and characteristics of the finest institutions for higher education.

You have to apply with filled registration form, Passport copy valid for all countries and a certified copy of your A/L (Local or London) Certificate. Direct admission is only allowed for prospective students, in case we Do NOT have a Representative in your country.

Further Details and guidance will be provided by the “VSMA International”.

I am already studying medicine overseas, can I transfer to your Medical program?

YES

Is there an age limit for entry into the Academy, Medical Program?

YES – If you wish to enter by your secondary education there is an age limit that you can apply from 17 –25. Matured applicants are welcome to join by completed/Uncompleted undergraduate programs or for post-graduate studies.

How much is my tuition?

Visit Tuition and Fees

How do I apply for admission?

Visit Application Procedure

Is there an application deadline?

YES.

What is the annual quota?

For further details contact your local representative or VSMA International.

Is it too late to apply for admission now?

If you have not applied by the deadlines, you may or may not be able to still apply. Please contact Office of VSMA International as soon as possible.

We review applications on a first-come, first-serve basis until the class fills to capacity. If an application is received after closing registration, the application will automatically be reviewed for the next available semester and you, the prospective student will be notified by mail.

Could you send me an application form and prospectus?

You have to contact the Local Representative.

How can I submit my document copies?

Document copies such as passport, Academic Certificates and Transcripts can be submitted to your Local Representative <Representatives> or send by fax to +70712513079 or +94112806748.

The Best will be to attach scan copies to admissions@vsma.info, as in this way we receive more clear copies of your Identification and Academic Excellence.

Is there an Application fee?

Yes. Preliminary Application is free. After we process your preliminary application, if you are accepted, we will send you the Final Application package, with forms to be filled out with an Application fee. Application & Processing Fee depends on your Nationality and could be in a range of $100 US - $600 US.

When will I know whether I have been offered a “study Seat” in VSMA?

You have to apply through the VSMA International<About us> or one of our Representatives <Representatives>. If you are accepted an “Acceptance/Offering Letter” will be sent to you.

How long do I have to wait to find out if I will be offered a Study Seat?

This varies depending at the time of year which you have applied. If you have applied during the season of admission, usually the decision is made within one month of the completion of a file. If you have been accepted, the decision will be informed to you by the “letter of Acceptance/Offering”.

Why does my admission need to go through “VSMA International”?

VSMA International (VSMAI) is the Exclusive Sole Agent of VSMA to recruit students from more than 10 Asia Pacific countries including China, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Brunei, Fiji, Laos, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

VSMA International has appointed Representatives around the world to make easier for new admissions and to avoid malpractices.

How do international students pay their fees?

Students arrange their own financial aid. Prospective Students have to pay his/her course fee as a guarantee with registration of enrolment. All other Students must pay one month before his/her studies of academic year. All Fees are payable to “VSMA International”

We do offer installment payment schemes, merit-based scholarships and bank loans geared to support international students, if requests are considerable.

Will I be eligible for financial aid and scholarships?

YES.

How VSMA International offers scholarships?

Beginning of an academic year, a limited number of combined loan and half scholarship awards were given to students based on need and merit. The awards are renewable annually for each year of medical studies if academic performances are protected.

How can I get more information?

There is sufficient information on this website and we will be providing more information time to time. You can also email us on postmaster@vsma.info .